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Amazon Studios to Produce & Acquire Films for Theatrical Release

Amazon Studios, the original programming arm of the online shopping giant, made some huge waves at the Golden Globes the weekend before last when they took home the award for Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical for their series "Transparent," which also earned Jeffrey Tambor an acting award that night too. Now Amazon is looking to get in the entertainment game in an even bigger way as they've just announced that Amazon Studios will produce and acquire original movies for theatrical release in addition to giving them an early release window on their Amazon Prime Instant Video service shortly thereafter. More below!

Amazon Studios vice president Roy Price says they plan to create 12 movies a year, with production beginning on the first films later this year. Price hopes that this will help make distribution easier for filmmakers who may find trouble in the traditional Hollywood distribution system:

"Not only will we bring Prime Instant Video customers exciting, unique, and exclusive films soon after a movie’s theatrical run, but we hope this program will also benefit filmmakers, who too often struggle to mount fresh and daring stories that deserve an audience.”

The plan will be to release these films in theaters, and then make them available on Amazon Prime Instant Video about four to eight weeks after they hit the big screen. Producer Ted Hope (Eat Drink Man Woman, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon) will lead creative development and gives this publicity fluff, "Amazon Original Movies will be synonymous with films that amaze, excite, and move our fans, wherever customers watch. I am incredibly thrilled to be part of this.” This comes after Amazon also gave Woody Allen his first TV series to create, write and direct, so they're certainly marching forward in film and TV in a big way.